Gemma Merna thought acting career was over

Gemma Merna has admitted she feared her acting career was over for good after she quit 'Hollyoaks' in 2014

Gemma Merna didn't think she would act again after 'Hollyoaks'.

The 32-year-old actress bowed out of the Channel 4 soap as Carmel McQueen - a role she portrayed for eight years - in 2014 and has admitted she feared her acting career was over for good until she took up yoga and boosted her confidence.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, Gemma - who is now a qualified yoga teacher - explained: "I feel like yoga has got me in a good place, because I took a year out and I didn't feel like I would act again and it's got me in a lovely place."

The blonde bombshell may be happy teaching the therapeutic practice, walking her three dogs and spending quality time with her husband Ian Milton but she has revealed she recently signed to a new talent agency and is hoping to start acting again soon.

She said: "I have just signed with a new acting agent, Williamson & Holmes, which is very very exciting."

Just after she turned her back on 'Hollyoaks' two years ago, Gemma took part in the theatre production of, 'So this is Christmas', where her singing talents were put to the test.

Speaking of the production she said: "I was in a production last year called, 'So this is Christmas' and I hadn't sung in 10 years because I was so nervous of getting back on stage.

"The first time I was so nervous but I had such lovely people working with me and I just thought, I can do this! I think I just always doubted myself all through my career."

But, while Gemma loved the "amazing opportunity" she was given to work on stage, it made her realise her true passion lies in TV.

She said: "It did make me realise how much I love TV. Like I said, if the right project came along on theatre I would do it, but ideally I do love TV so that's where I would want to stay."